Formation of patterned ground and fine-scale soil development within two late Holocene glacial chronosequences: Jotunheimen, Norway

Abstract

Chronosequences of ∼250 to ∼130 years were established on two late Holocene glacier forelands in the Jotunheimen region of southern Norway. Patterned features occurring within chronologically established time units were studied. Young patterned features, forming ∼10–20 years after deglaciation, are frost active. Vegetation cover is minimal within the young patterned features, consisting of bryophytes/organic crusts. Soil development within patterned ground is also minimal/absent because frost action retards horizonization. With time and distance from the glaciated ice margin, frost activity declines within the patterned features, suggesting that a thin, active “periglacial zone” exists near the ice margin. Initially, frost activity decreases at the borders of the features with the centers stabilizing later in time. This results in fine-scale soil heterogeneity and variations of soil development. Fine-scale pedogenic development is first encountered at the borders of patterned ground that has developed on terrain exposed since the ∼1930s, yet soil development is predominantly absent at the centers of patterned ground. With time and distance from the ice margin, frost activity declines and allows patterned features to homogenize from border to center positions in regard to soil characteristics. Across the chronosequences, soils within patterned features pedogenically follow previous soil chronosequence studies, evolving from USDA classifications of Entisols into Inceptisols. Frost disturbance within patterned ground, however, produces a lag effect, that results in longer periods of time for pedogenesis to occur and thinner soils than that of the surrounding terrain.